Arsenal FC
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Exciting North London derby sees Tottenham chasing Champions League place with Arsenal seeking form
Tottenham to win 2-1
Often in the past, both Arsenal and Tottenham have been battling for positions at the top end of the table, with the clubs no stranger to Champions League football.
As it stands, both teams have endured largely disappointing seasons up until now, with Spurs falling from top to 9th until recently and Arsenal floating in mid table for much of the campaign.
Tottenham are definitely on top right now, however, with the club winning their last three in the league, and six of their last seven in all competitions. With six points to eat up between now and the end of the season to reach 4th, they’ll need to claim something here.
Arsenal produce a different level of performance almost on a weekly basis, with everyone unsure whether they’ll see a top display or a disappointing one.
The Gunners have often played well against the big sides recently, but will need a big performance here.
Form Guide (all comps): LWWDW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Three wins from last five in all competitions
The Gunners have a fully fit squad
Reasons to be fearful:
Winless in their previous five meetings with Spurs
Won just two of their last seven league games
A North London derby could be just what Arsenal need right now to find some form, with their results against fellow big six teams good under Mikel Arteta.
Recently, the Gunners beat Leicester, and have also taken three points off Manchester United and Chelsea this season.
Other than that, however, Arsenal have been poor for large parts of the season, and their league position of 10th is largely a true reflection of their campaign.
Their record against Tottenham recently, is not good. Mikel Arteta could well be the first Arsenal manager to lose his first three North London derbies, a very unwanted record, particularly among Gunners fans.
It’s a huge match, this.
Star Man – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
After a tricky spell, the striker has scored six goals in his last four Premier League starts.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Won their last five games in all competitions
Mourinho has lost only two of his 22 games against Arsenal
Reasons to be fearful:
Only scored 10 goals in their last 11 away games
Two victories from their last nine matches on the road
Spurs will certainly be confident coming into this one, entering on the back of a brilliant patch of form which has taken them back into contention for a European finish this season.
Alongside their positive exploits in the Europa League, in which they have almost reached the quarter finals stage, they are also into the Carabao Cup final. If they can secure a strong finish in the league, this could be a relatively successful season for them.
Harry Kane, who has been in exceptional form all season, picked up a knock in their midweek game, but is expected to be fit. The likes of Bale, Reguilon and Alderweireld, all rested in midweek, could be recalled.
Spurs, and their manager Mourinho, would love a win over their North London rivals, especially if it helps them close the gap on the top four.
Star Man – Gareth Bale
The Welshman has finally hit form for Spurs, scoring six goals in his last seven appearances.
Should be an entertaining game
Both sides to score
Spurs are slight favourites based on form
People often say that in a derby, form goes out of the window, with passion and desire more important than recent victories.
While that is true to an extent, there is no denying that Spurs are the better side right now – they have better players, demonstrating greater confidence on the pitch, and their results are more promising.
Arsenal certainly have the potential to claim three points, but Tottenham are favourites.
Tottenham to win 2-1
